Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in March, the Oregon Employment Department has announced, down slightly from 6.0 percent in February. The county’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in March 2025.
The statewide unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in March, and the national rate was 4.3 percent.
Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased in March by 20 jobs to 18,340, said regional economist Shaun Barrick. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 170 jobs was expected for the month, and the county’s total nonfarm employment increased by 150, with a gain of 150 jobs in the private sector and no change in total government employment.
The employment department said the leisure and hospitality industry added 130 jobs and local education lost 20 jobs.
March’s total nonfarm employment numbers were down 280 jobs over the year, a decrease of 1.5 percent the past 12 months. The largest gain occurred in food manufacturing, which rose by 70 jobs over the year in March. Professional and business services lost 120 jobs while local government — excluding tribal and education — added 50 jobs.
